BC-IL--Illinois News Digest 1:30 pm, IL

December 5, 2018

Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up today in Illinois. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP-Chicago bureau at 312-781-0500 or chifax@ap.org. Tom Davies is on the desk, followed by Ken Kusmer.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date. All times are Central.

TOP STORIES:

JORDAN’S FATHER

LUMBERTON, N.C. _ A judge says he needs time to consider whether to allow an inmate to proceed with arguments that he was wrongfully convicted of participating in the murder of Michael Jordan’s father in 1993. Superior Court Judge Winston Gilchrist heard arguments Wednesday by Daniel Green, who claims he helped dump James Jordan’s body but didn’t kill him. Green was convicted of first-degree murder, and two state courts upheld the conviction. Another man is also serving a life sentence for the killing. SENT: 130 words, photos. Will be updated.

AROUND THE STATE:

MICHIGAN PIPELINE

LANSING, Mich. _ The Michigan Senate voted Wednesday to facilitate a deal to replace a contentious 65-year-old oil pipeline in the Great Lakes, approving legislation to empower a new authority to oversee the construction and operation of a utility tunnel that would encase the new pipeline. The bill, approved on a 25-13 mostly party-line vote in the Republican-controlled chamber, was sent to the House for consideration next. It would create the three-member Mackinac Straight Corridor Authority to handle functions related to building the tunnel, which supporters say would better protect against a potential spill. By David Eggert. SENT: 250 words. Will be updated.

DELTA QUEEN

ST. LOUIS _ After a decade in dock, the historic 1920s-era Delta Queen riverboat will cruise again. President Donald Trump signed legislation on Tuesday authorizing the 285-foot-long riverboat immortalized in poems and songs to cruise again along the Mississippi and several other rivers. The Delta Queen was sidelined in 2008 by a federal law prohibiting overnight excursions on wooden vessels. By Jim Salter. SENT: 350 words, photos.

IN BRIEF:

_ BOY’S DROWNING-JURY VERDICT: A Cook County jury has awarded $21.5 million to the family of a 6-year-old boy who drowned during a summer camp in suburban Chicago.

_ SUBURBAN CHICAGO POLICE SHOOTING: A prosecutor has ruled that a suburban Chicago police officer acted in self-defense when he fatally shot a northwestern Pennsylvania man wanted in the death of an 88-year-old man.

_ STEEL PLANT MOVE: An Illinois steel company has finalized plans to move its operations to northwestern Indiana. The state of Indiana announced Wednesday that Alliance Steel plans to invest $19.7 million in Gary, about 25 miles from its plant in Bedford Park, Illinois.

_ COUPLE SLAIN-MISSOURI: Authorities are looking in the Chicago area for an 18-year-old who is charged with killing his father and his father’s girlfriend in the couple’s suburban St. Louis home while visiting them.

_ COMMUNITY HEALTH GRANTS: Five Illinois community health centers are receiving more than $36 million in federal funds to help provide affordable health care in underserved rural and urban areas.

_ CHICAGO POLICE-SERGEANTS: Chicago Police have worked hard to reduce the number of homicides in the city and now they’re making a move they hope will increase the number of homicides they solve.

SPORTS:

FBN--BEARS QUARTERBACKS

LAKE FOREST, Ill. _ The Chicago Bears figure to provide an update on their quarterback situation after Mitchell Trubisky sat out his second straight game because of a right shoulder injury. If he’s not available, Chase Daniel figures to get another start when they meet the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams. By Andrew Seligman. UPCOMING: 600 words.

HKN--BLACKHAWKS-DUCKS

ANAHEIM, Calif. _ The Anaheim Ducks have a four-game winning streak as they return home from a five-game road trip to host the Chicago Blackhawks, who have dropped their last four. The Blackhawks have led only once in their last seven games _ at the end of a 5-4 overtime win at Florida on Nov. 24. By Joe Reedy. UPCOMING. 600 words. Game starts 9:30 CT.

BKC--OHIO STATE-ILLINOIS

CHICAGO _ Kaleb Wesson, C.J. Jackson and No. 19 Ohio State look to go to 8-1 when they face struggling Illinois at the United Center. The Illini are 2-6. UPCOMIING: 600 words, photos. Game time 6 p.m. CT.

FBC--AP ALL-BIG TEN

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins Jr. is the offensive player of the year and Michigan linebacker Devin Bush is defensive player of the year on The Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference team released Wednesday. Freshman receiver Rondale Moore of Purdue was voted newcomer of the year, and Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald was named coach of the year after leading the Wildcats to the Big Ten championship game for the first time. By College Football Writer Eric Olson. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.

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